I Am Habit

It is mighty hard to shake me;
In my brawny arms I take thee;
I can either make or break thee;
I am habit!

Through each day I slowly mold thee;
Soon my tight’ning chains enfold thee;
Then it is with ease I hold thee;
Thus is habit!

I can be both good and vile;
I can e’en by worth your while,
Or the cause of your bitter cry;
Oft I’ve proved myself a pleasure;
Proved myself a priceless treasure,
Or a menace past all measure;
Harmless though I sometimes seem, yet
My strange force is like a magnet,
Like a great and greedy dragnet;
Though you sometimes fear or doubt me,
No one yet has lived without me;
I am present all about thee;
Choose me well when you are starting;
seldom is an easy parting;
I’m a devil or a darling!

[from the Rowlett Exhorter, September 1, 2013]